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4 clusters · 5 sources · 30 days · First seen · Last updated

Iran Premier League 2026 season preparations

Overview

The Iranian Football Federation has scheduled the draw for the 26th Premier League season for 6 August, with matches set to begin on 23 August. This new campaign follows a controversial previous season that ended with a frozen league table and no relegations.

Clubs are navigating the transfer market under financial constraints. Persepolis has appointed Mehdi Tartar as head coach, bringing in four players from Gol-Gohar and re-signing veteran Mohammad Mehdi Zare, alongside new striker Abolfazl Jalali. Esteghlal has hired Sohrab Bakhtiari-Zadeh and is focused on a youth-led rebuild, securing long-term contracts for players such as Bahram Goudarzi and Mohammad Khalif.

Football analyst Hamid Derakhshan has warned of a “regression” in the sector, noting that limited preparation windows have prevented most teams from reaching peak physical condition. He identified Persepolis as the only club to gain a slight advantage through an effective training camp, while observing that transfer activity has largely consisted of domestic movement rather than the recruitment of high-quality foreign talent.

As the season progresses, the Iranian Football Federation has released referee assignments for Week 3, including Payam Heydari for Esteghlal vs. Sepahan and Amir Arab Baraghi for Tractor vs. Persepolis. Uncertainty regarding spectator attendance persists; despite Federation messaging regarding the vital role of fans, the match between Tractor and Persepolis in Tabriz is expected to proceed behind closed doors due to tensions from the previous season.

Entities

Esteghlal · Persepolis · Shahid Qods Stadium · Hamid Derakhshan · Iran Premier League

Timeline

  1. 21 days ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Iranian Premier League announces Week 3 referees and fan attendance status

    The Iranian Football Federation announced referees for Week 3 of the Premier League, including Esteghlal-Sepahan and Tractor-Persepolis, amid ongoing debate over spectator bans for certain matches.

  2. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Hamid Derakhshan warns of regression in Iranian football

    Football expert Hamid Derakhshan warns of regression in Iranian football infrastructure and notes limited team readiness ahead of the new Premier League season.

  3. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Iran Premier League faces uncertainty over spectator attendance

    Iran's Premier League start is delayed over whether matches, including Esteghlal's home game, will allow fans, with options of Pas Qavamin (no spectators) or Qods Stadium (fans allowed).

  4. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Iranian football league starts amid transfer market turmoil

    Iran's 26th football league season launches on 23 August, with Persepolis hiring coach Mehdi Tartar and signing multiple players, and Esteghlal appointing Sohrab Bakhtiari‑Zadeh amid active transfer activity.

Sources

etemadonline.com · noandish.com · panama24horas.com.pa · rokna.net · vananews.com

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history